Analysis of preoperative ocular optical parameters in patients with cataract

This study aims to evaluate the distribution of preoperative corneal parameters obtained using the Pentacam anterior segment analyzer in Chinese male and female patients with cataracts and to investigate the correlation between these parameters and related factors. Preoperative examination data of the eyes of 1,255 patients who underwent cataract surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The Pentacam AXL was used to extract preoperative corneal measurements, and the total corneal measurement data were analyzed. The average age of the patients was 52.9 ± 21.3 years. The mean simulated keratometry values and corneal curvature of total corneal refractive power were positively correlated with age (both P < 0.01). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive association between age and anterior corneal spherical aberration, posterior corneal spherical aberration, and total corneal spherical aberration changes. A negative correlation was found between age and with-the-rule astigmatism, and it was positively correlated with the ratios of against-the-rule and oblique astigmatism. A significant between-eye correlation was observed regarding spherical aberration (Z40), horizontal coma (Z31), vertical coma (Z3-1), and horizontal trefoil (Z33). The corneal curvature in females was significantly steeper than that in males (P < 0.01). Corneal curvature, corneal spherical aberration, and corneal astigmatism were found to change with age. Additionally, we found physiological differences between the sexes. Individual measurements could be taken preoperatively to facilitate the development of personalized surgical plans. By identifying age- and gender-related corneal variations, this study enables more personalized cataract surgery planning, potentially improving refractive outcomes and reducing postoperative complications through tailored surgical techniques and intraocular lens selection.